Modernization encourages humans to become consumptive in many ways. Of course, this consumptive behavior, often without realizing it produces a lot of waste every day, from food waste to goods. In my country, only 7% of waste can be composted and recycled, and 69% of waste production is only dumped in landfills, while daily waste production can reach hundreds of thousands of tons. Until then many realized that to start a zero-waste lifestyle, then what about the concept of zero waste? Let's discuss one by one!
What is zero waste?
Zero waste is a concept of living with the awareness to use single-use products wisely and prioritizing products with a longer lifespan. The goal of this zero waste concept is to reduce the amount of waste in the landfill and its bad effects so that natural resources are maintained.
There are 5 methods used in the concept of zero waste:
- Refuse
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Rot
Keep in mind that a zero-waste lifestyle does not mean criminalizing plastic items, single-use items, and the like. The concept is more for self-control so that it is no longer consumptive and responsible for the environment. A zero-waste lifestyle is a lifestyle whose application cannot be instantaneous but can be done slowly and consistently. Some things you can do when you want to start a zero-waste lifestyle are to increase literacy, update with environmental information, then apply it in your life.
Benefits of Zero Waste Lifestyle:
Save expenses
A zero-waste lifestyle encourages you to be more economical. When shopping, you will focus more on what is needed, separating needs and wants so that expenses can be reduced. You will also be encouraged to buy quality preloved items at low prices. as well as using used items to become more useful furniture, thereby reducing the budget for buying new furniture.Increase creativity
Instead of throwing out the trash that can pollute the environment, you will think creatively about how to use it for more useful items. Recycle and reuse processes in the concept of zero waste can hone your creativity in processing waste, such as using used clothes into shopping bags, turning plastic drinking bottles into plant pots, pencil boxes, and others.Encourage a healthy lifestyle
The leftover food becomes one of the waste that is quite dangerous if it is accumulated in large quantities, so by implementing a zero-waste lifestyle you may pay more attention to the types of food consumed and choose foods that are "environmentally friendly". For example, you will avoid buying food outside because it will increase your plastic consumption and switch to cooking yourself.Can increase income and knowledge
There are many opportunities to earn income from adopting a zero-waste lifestyle. Household waste can be processed into various handicraft items or household furniture. Also, you will be motivated to learn things that you didn't know before, such as learning what things are good for the environment, how the latest innovations and research about the environment, and others.
How to start a zero-waste lifestyle:
Make use of items that are not used
If in the past everything had to buy and be new, now start to take advantage of the things that you have and can still be used over and over again.Be wise in consuming food
If in the past you often bought food because you were hungry your eyes and ended up being inedible, now is the time to be wise when buying food so you don't waste it in vain.Think before you buy
We are often tempted by discounts, as a result of being impulsive buying for items that are not necessary. Try to be a smart consumer by only buying the things you need and refusing plastic wraps or bags.Separating organic and inorganic waste
Even though we still produce waste, at least we can help reduce and process waste by separating organic and inorganic waste bins. Organic waste is waste that can be decomposed, such as food scraps, fruit and vegetable scraps, dry leaves, and others. Inorganic waste is generally in the form of dry waste, such as paper, bottles, glass, and others.
Living a zero-waste lifestyle can be started with small and simple things from yourself, then you can slowly invite people around you to participate in living zero waste. Today the Earth, where we live, is becoming fragile and damaged. Come on, together we can learn to be wiser in producing waste and protecting the environment!